Today's post was written by Lynn Halpern, a longtime vegan advocate, educator and rescuer of many farmed and discarded nonhuman animals. She is also the Outreach Coordinator for Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary, tabling at many local events with beautiful brochures, pamphlets and posters designed and published by PPS. With the holidays coming up soon, and hundreds of millions turkeys scheduled for slaughter, a trip out to Peaceful Prairie's "Living at Thanksgiving" feast and sanctuary tour is just the thing to keep from hating humanity too much. Mingle with others in a fun celebration of life and fantastic vegan food on November 24th, the Sunday before Thanksgiving and meet some of the rescued farmed animals who's stories you can read on the website. Join PPS's email list ( easy to do on their Home page ), Friend them on Facebook or just check back on their website to get more details about this great annual event and other happenings with the animals and the Sanctuary.Here's Lynn :A Forever Home on the RangePeaceful Prairie Sanctuary is “a safe haven for animals that have been given a second chance at life” located about an hour from Denver on the eastern plains of Colorado. It is home to several hundred animals that have been rescued from a life of exploitation and an untimely death for the purpose of food production – something that is completely unnecessary for human survival. A visit to the sanctuary provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet the residents, hear their stories and learn why going vegan is essential to prevent the needless suffering of their less fortunate brethren. Here you can mingle with cows, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, ducks, geese, turkeys and llamas, all of whom receive the love and respect allowing them to just be themselves and express their wonderful and unique personalities. Most come from the small family farms that many people think fit the idyllic image currently being marketed to the “caring consumer” as the solution to the horrors of industrial animal agriculture. A closer examination reveals that, from the animal’s perspective, nothing could be further from the truth. The screams and terror of the slaughterhouse are the same and all will end up there sooner or later – most sooner. Even cows and chickens born and raised for their milk and eggs will wind up there while still in their youth. Chicken breeds that have been developed to maximize egg production resulted in male birds that are not desirable for their flesh. They are gruesomely killed within a day or two of birth at the hatcheries that supply virtually all chicken keepers, whether backyard hobbyists, battery, organic, or cage-free facilities. Male cows of dairy breeds aren’t worth keeping to adulthood for meat, so they may be trashed at birth or cruelly raised for veal. Male goats that are a by-product of goat milk production may live for a bit longer than there bovine counterparts, but they will be sold for their flesh as well. Goat meat is popular in many cultures and indeed, goats are the most widely consumed mammal, eaten by more than 70% of the world’s population. When it comes to the females of these species, a decline in egg and milk production means a trip to the abattoir for them as well. Only a tiny fraction of the billions that are killed every year in the US alone will end up at sanctuaries, yet none deserve their sad fate. For this reason, vegan advocacy is a large part of the Peaceful Prairie mission and should be an important function of every organization working to protect farmed animals. To this end, Peaceful Prairie has produced a body of literature concentrating on dispelling the myth of so-called humane farming, thus filling a large void in the existing materials on the subject. Much of it has been translated in to other languages as it is in demand around the world. Literature can be purchased at cost by contacting the sanctuary or downloaded for free from their website. Tours are given on Sundays throughout the year and must be scheduled ahead of time through the website. While out there, those that wish to may learn more about how to lend a helping hand. This all-volunteer organization has endured for the last 15 years because of the 24/7 hard work and dedication of founders, Chris and Michele Alley-Grubb. The sanctuary depends completely on donations to fund their work. All money raised goes towards animal care and vegan outreach. None is used to pay salaries or for fundraising. This Tuesday, Native Foods Café in Boulder will be giving a portion of the proceeds for that day to Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary.Links :Lynn Halpern, Outreach Coordinator and can be emailed at outreach@peacefulprairie.orgGeneral PPS inquiries can be directed to peacefulprairie@netecin.netTours can be scheduled by emailing prairietours@yahoo.com